3D Apparel Printing With Predistorted Patterns for Body Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3D printing methods on apparel result in distorted patterns when the fabric conforms to an irregular three-dimensional surface, such as a human body, due to nonuniform stretching and distortion of the fabric.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that involve receiving an undistorted 3D pattern, creating a predistorted 3D pattern for printing onto a simple geometric object, and then printing this predistorted pattern onto the apparel, ensuring the pattern remains undistorted when worn on an irregular surface by accounting for the fabric's stretching and distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a 3D pattern is printed directly onto apparel fabric, then the pattern can be applied to the article surface, but the pattern becomes distorted when the fabric conforms to an irregular three-dimensional surface due to nonuniform stretching
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary distortion correction by calculating a compensation transformation matrix before printing. The undistorted 3D pattern is pre-adjusted based on predicted fabric distortion characteristics, so that when the fabric stretches and distorts during wearing, the pattern remains visually undistorted. This preliminary action resolves the contradiction by preparing the pattern in advance to counteract future distortion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by introducing a compensatory distortion in the opposite direction of the expected fabric distortion. The transformation matrix deliberately distorts the pattern in reverse, so that when the fabric naturally distorts during use, the two distortions cancel each other out, maintaining pattern integrity on the irregular surface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the fabric is made to conform to an irregular three-dimensional surface, then the apparel can be worn on the body, but the printed pattern undergoes nonuniform stretching and distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The system predicts how the fabric will distort when conforming to the irregular body surface and pre-compensates for this distortion in the pattern design. By calculating the transformation matrix in advance based on fabric properties and body geometry, the pattern is prepared to maintain its shape despite the fabric's inevitable distortion during wearing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pattern parameters (coordinates, dimensions, orientation) based on predicted fabric distortion characteristics. The transformation matrix adjusts these parameters to account for nonuniform stretching, allowing the pattern to adapt to the irregular surface while maintaining visual integrity. This parameter transformation resolves the contradiction between fabric adaptability and pattern shape preservation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and systems are disclosed for three-dimensional printing directly onto an article of apparel. Disclosed is a method and system for direct three-dimensional printing onto an article of apparel, including receiving an undistorted three-dimensional pattern for display on the article, the undistorted three-dimensional pattern configured for placement on an irregular three-dimensional surface; creating a predistorted three- dimensional pattern from the undistorted three-dimensional pattern for printing onto a simple three-dimensional shaped object; receiving the predistorted three-dimensional pattern in a three-dimensional printing system; and printing the predistorted three-dimensional pattern onto the article.